CeraVe 2-In-1 Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

Versus

CeraVe 2-In-1 Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner Versus Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Shampoo

Shampoo

American Brand

Updated on April 29, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe shampoos. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

CeraVe 2-In-1 Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner 37 ingredients

Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Shampoo 20 ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

CeraVe 2-In-1 Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner 37 ingredients

Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Shampoo 20 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

2-In-1 Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

Zinc Pyrithione 1%

Antiseborrhoeic

Water

Skin Conditioning

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Cleansing

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

Cleansing

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Cleansing

Sodium Chloride

Masking

Glycol Distearate

Emollient

Amodimethicone

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate

Cleansing

PPG-5-Ceteth-20

Emulsifying

Cocamide Mipa

Emulsifying

Potato Starch Modified

Ceramide NP

Ceramide AP

Ceramide EOP

Carbomer

Niacinamide

Trideceth-6

Triethyl Citrate

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Emulsifying

Salicylic Acid

Masking

Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant

0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

Coco-Betaine

Cleansing

Propylene Glycol

Humectant

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Citric Acid

Cetrimonium Chloride

Caprylyl Glycol

Xanthan Gum

Phytosphingosine

Polyquaternium-10

Acrylates Copolymer

Benzoic Acid

Masking

Clinical Strength Shampoo

Selenium Sulfide 1%

Water

Skin Conditioning

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

Cleansing

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

Glycol Distearate

Cocamide Mea

Ammonium Xylenesulfonate

Sodium Citrate

Parfum

Dimethicone

Cetyl Alcohol

2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Sodium Chloride

Citric Acid

Sodium Benzoate

Stearyl Alcohol

2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Disodium EDTA

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Preservative

Methylisothiazolinone

Preservative

CI 14700

Cosmetic Colorant

2 / 1

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Citric Acid

Masking, Buffering

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Glycol Distearate

Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.

It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.

It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.

Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Glycol Distearate

Sodium Benzoate

Masking, Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Chloride

Masking

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water